Breathe

The march to Uilam had a slow start, as the caravan exited the town of Walcon.

Adam held his halberd against his shoulder, as he walked with the adventurers.

The sunlight thrusted against his face, entering the opening of his helm's visor.

Sweat starting to fall from his back, from the tip of his hair.

He was beginning to second guess, having taken up the quest.

Lady Yerlarain seemed alright as an employer. Micheis' personality was also okay, they weren't stuck up, like some noble's staff were in the novels he read about.

However, as he strutted forward in his heavy greaves, he knew he would be fairly fatigued by the end.

His strength having reached the 10 point threshold, eased his ability to lift his halberd.

As Adam moved, aware of the reach he possessed with the halberd, he did a few practice swings to stretch his muscles.

It alleviated the slight stiffness that was growing, as it was pressed against Adam's collarbone.

Now more relaxed, the day entered the evening. The sky darkening, Adam took note of the slowing down movement of the caravan.

Adam wondered: 'Camp is gonna be set up?'

Affirming this thought an hour later, camp was set up, the carriage stilled and horses were attached to them via rope, to avoid them running away.

The adventurer's who were recruited as escorts for the quest were in closer proximity.

While Micheis kept his distance, who Lady Yerlarain sat by.

Seats were logs that were laid out, which the caravan group settled on.

For food, everyone chowed down on some soup in a wooden bowl, a blend of potato's and what looked to be beef.

Adam remarked: 'Nothing remarkable, but it does fill the stomach.' As he scooped up and ate the last of the soup.

To pass the time, Adam observed Lady Yerlarain, he was curious as to her level.

A system box flung into Adams field of view as he took a glance at Yerlarain whose gaze fell on the soup bowl.

[Yerlarain Violetstone, Level 15 Human Swordsman, Heir to the Noble Violetstone House.]

Seeing Yerlarain's level, he was motivated to check out Micheis' level.

Popping up shortly after, a second transparent screen appeared.

[Micheis Swampthaw, Level 20 Human Steward, Butler to House Violetstone.]

Adam was most certainly stronger than them, but skill-wise he wasn't sure. He had only been in this world for a few months.

Not that he would be desiring to fight them.

When everyone finished eating tents were set up, as thanks for the food he received, he helped out.

Afterwards, he entered the tent he was supplied, and rested.

The night passed without incident.

Rising steadily was the sun, which rose with it's overbearing light, which filtered through the tents of the camp.

Awakened by the light, Adam scrambled out of his tent.

Halberd in hand, he pushed himself up off the ground and scrutinized the camp.

People starting to get out of there tents, the camp was quickly dismantled, and the caravan was back on the road.

The afternoon light rushed into the sky, Adam mused to the adventurer's about the food: "That soup sure was something."

A few of the escorting adventurer's laughed.

Slightly closer to Adam at his joke, the march to Uilam became less heavy.

He learned that Uilam was a city where commerce reigned.

Adam figured that Yerlarain may be there to broker a trading deal for her family.

As Adam was unable to bring anything of note with him, as he was summoned.

Having primarily only read fantasy novels, there was not much value for a deal he could bring up, if he felt like it.

His scientific knowledge was minimal, so introducing technologies from Earth was so off the table.

Which was fine.

There was a sort of refreshing purity to a world that wasn't modern.

Trying to bring science into the fantastical, it was not needed.

Adam observing the sky which turned an orange hue, was breathtaking.

No planes. No blimps. No pollution.

It was wonderous, and Adam was here to thrive in it.

Bringing his gaze back to the ground Adam pushed on.

The purple night scrawled darkness against the sky, eventually defeated by the moon

Beneath it, camp was made again.

'More soup.' Adam started to groan when he recalled his lack of cooking skills.

Begrudgingly, he finished eating.

As he stood up, he heard a sharp scream, that was cut through with coughs.

Sweat ran down his face as he quickly looked for the originator of the noise.

He noticed Yerlarain.

Her hands were clasping at her throat. Her eyes damp and a bowl was upside down before her.

She was choking.

Micheis was right by her, but his brow was furrowed, as his arms were waving around wildly, his eyes wide.

He looked lost.

Not hesitating, Adam ran to her back, spreading his arms out, and grabbed her waist.

Micheis quickly got defensive as he moved towards Adam, trying to pry his grasp off of Yerlarain.

Glaring at him, Adam growled: "Don't you dare. I am saving her."

Adam returned his focus on her, Micheis distressed, balled his fists up, ready to move at a moments notice.

Adam threw his gloves to the ground.

Taking hold of her waist, he positioned his hands at the center of her stomach.

Her eyes shot open at the sudden force upon her abdomen.

Yerlarain's eyes already reddened as her arms flailed towards her throat worsening with the shock.

Ignoring her surprise, Adam squeezed.

She let out a weak cough.

Her throat was blocked off.

Gritting his teeth, Adam squeezed her abdomen again.

Adam saw her eyes start to haze over.

He did not have long to spare.

Growing more frantic, he squeezed again.

This time, she let out a gasp, as tiny chunks of food flew out.

Her breathing still restricted, he pressed his hands against her abdomen again.

More food flung out, her breathing starting to return to normal.

However, her eyes were still extremely damp.

Adam's hand's pressed one more time upon her abdomen.

Spewing from her throat was a large chunk of potato.

Her body heaved forward, as she spat out the remaining bits of food from her throat.

Seeing they were in the clear, Adam let go, backing away.

Immediately, Micheis went over to Yerlarain, scrutinizing her condition, his hand on her back as she fell to her knees.

Taking staggered breaths, she uttered: "I.. I'm fine now, Micheis."

Her breathing slowly steadying, her gaze flew to Adam.

Knees shaking, she got to her feet, and walked over to Adam.

They locked eyes, her gaze hardening, Adam foresaw a reprimand.

Instead, she bowed deeply.

Her voice shaken, her words slurred, she said: "Thank you. For saving my life."

Straightening her back, Adam watched as tears fell from her eyes, strands of hair at her cheeks.

Her voice strained, a tear reaching her chin, she repeated: "Thank you, so much."

Adam sighed, putting an arm on her shoulder. He could feel her still shaking.

His eyes gradually softened, his lips turned up, he chuckled: "So those potato's were really something, huh?"

Her hands wiping her eyes, she let out a stifled laugh: "Yeah... they were."